NEWPORT NEWS—You’ve heard of the Newport News Marathon that winds its way through streets of the city? Well, get ready for a new marathon that’s geared for people who prefer entertainment over exercise.
The inaugural 23rd Street Marathon is slated for Saturday, May 15, and will cover the excruciatingly painful distance of 0.081 miles. You read that right—a “race” that covers approximately 142.56 yards, starting at Ironclad Distillery and ending a parking lot away at Coastal Fermentory.
“The guys at Coastal Fermentory came up with the idea, so give credit where it is due,” said Kara King, Creative Director at Ironclad Distillery. “There’s a big effort going on right now to revitalize downtown Newport News, so we thought this would be a perfect way for us to bring people down here.”
The “Run. Ish” event begins at noon. Registration is $20 and includes one beer, one bourbon cocktail, and three food truck samplings. Food trucks on-site will include Frank’s Monster Munchies, Flame and Pie Mobile Pizzeria, and Pop’s Kettle Corn. Live music from Tre’ Smith Music will start at 12:30. A limited number of T-shirts will also be available for sale.
To add to the festivities, Coastal Fermentory will be releasing their Ironclad Bourbon Barrel Station 10, and Ironclad Distillery Company will be releasing their four-year-aged Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon.
VIP registration is $140 and includes everything in the standard registration plus one bottle of Coastal Bourbon Barrel Station 10, one bottle of Ironclad Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon, reserved race-day seating, free Saturday yoga, and a pint at Coastal Fermentory.
“We’re going to have water stations along the course route because hydration is so important,” said King. “John Pina from The Proper Barbershop will also be providing free beard trims, so if you went in and got your beard trimmed on the way, you could take the longest possible time to do the shortest possible race.”
This is the first year of the event, but King is hoping it will grow in years to come. “We’re going to keep doing this and keep making it bigger and better,” she said. “This is a family friendly event and dogs are welcome at both Ironclad and Coastal Fermentory, so come down and join the fun.”
Register at 23rdstreetmarathon.com. “Runners” can pick up their packets on May 14 from 12 to 8pm or on May 15 at 11am.